Sphere handling apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Sphere handling apparatus for use with pipe lines carrying fluid under pressure and serving to introduce or remove a sphere or other clean-out device. It makes use of an inclined hollow body connected to the line and adapted to contain a sphere. The interior of the body is divided into two spaces that are separated by a closure movable by power means between closed and open positions for enabling the two spaces to be sealed with respect to each other or to be placed in communication to enable a sphere to move from one space to the other. The closure is sealed with respect to a sleeve that forms a part of the body and is disposed intermediate the two spaces. Preferably bypass means is provided to enable an operator to connect the two spaces for pressure equalization. Also means is provided for detecting leakage past the closure. Preferably the sealing means between the closure and the sleeve is of the double resilient cup type. One embodiment is used for launching and another for retrieving spheres.

United States Patent [191 Grove et al.

[ SPHERE HANDLING APPARATUS AND METHOD [75] Inventors: Marvin H. Grove;Ronald G.

Dunegan, both of Houston, Tex.

[73] Assignee: M & J Company, Houston, Tex.

[22] Filed: Feb. 20, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 334,043

[52] US. Cl. 137/268, l5/104.06 A [51] Int. Cl. Fl7d 3/00 [58] Field ofSearch 137/268, 242, 312, 554; l5/104.06 A; 251/318; 277/2 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,387,483 6/1968 Van Arsdalel5/l04.06 A X 3,504,523 4/1970 Layhe l37/268 X 3,166,094 H1965Eagleton.... l5/l04.06 A X 3,169,263 2/1965 Eagleton 15/104.06 A3,148,689 9/1964 Bean et al l5/l04.06 A X 2,493,152 l/l950 Malcolm....277/2 X 2,948,143 8/1960 Pruitt l5/l04.06 A X 3,291,2l7 3/l964Wakefield, Jr l5/l04.06 A

[451 May 7,1974

Primary Examiner-Henry T. Klinksiek Assistant Examiner-Robert J. Miller57 ABSTRACT Sphere handling apparatus for use with pipe lines carryingfluid under pressure and serving to introduce or remove a sphere orother clean-out device. It makes use of an inclined hollow bodyconnected to the line and adapted to contain a sphere. The interior ofthe body is divided into two spaces that are separated by a closuremovable by power means between closed and open positions for enablingthe two spaces to be sealed with respect to each other or to be placedin communication to enable a sphere to move from one space to the other.The closure is sealed with respect to a sleeve that forms a part of thebody and is disposed intermediate the two spaces. Preferably bypassmeans is provided to enable an operator to connect the two spaces forpressure equalization. Also means is provided for detecting leakage pastthe closure. Preferably the sealing meansbetween the closure and thesleeve is of the double resilient cup type. One embodiment is used forlaunching and another for retrieving spheres. l 6 Claims, 7 DrawingFigures PATENTEDKAY 1 i914 3809;]. 13 sum 2 0F 6 FIG.2

PATENTEnm 1 mm SHEET U 0F 6 mdl PATENTEB AY 71974 SHEET 8 9f 6 FIG.7

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to spherehandling apparatusfor use with pipe lines which convey fluids such aspetroleum, petroleum products, water and fuel gas. Particularly, itenables spheres to be introduced into or removed from a pipe line.

In the operation of pipe lines for conveying fluids under pressureasreferred to above, it is customary to cause spheresto be flow-propelledthrough the line to aid in removing undesirable accumulations, such assand, congealed fractions or condensates. Many spheres used for thispurpose are made of synthetic rubber with a relatively smooth exteriorsurfacenHowever, other forms of flow propelled devices are used,including plugs or spheres made of resilient foam and surfaced withabrasive material. Various sphere launching and retrieval apparatus havebeen used for this purpose. In general, they employ a hollow bodyadapted to accommodate one or more spheres and connected to the linethrough one or more valves, e.g., a gate or ball valve (see U.S. Pat.No. 3,664,356). Such prior apparatuses have a number of disadvantages.Particularly, they have been expensive to manufacture due largely to thecost of the valves employed. They have also been subject to operatingdifficulties due to the massive character of the valves and the forcesrequired fortheir operation. In addition, they have lacked simple meansfor detecting a leak past'the sealing means employed. Leaks in suchequipment may endanger an operator and may produce serious spillage ofpetroleum and like products.

All of the foregoing difficulties and disadvantages are intensified for.the higher operating pressures and line sizes, as for example, linepressures of the order of 400 to 1,200 p.s.i., and pipe diameters offrom 40 to 48 inches. For such services, the spheres or other cleanoutdevices must be relatively large in diameter and thus difficult tohandleand susceptible to injury. Also the fluid forces involved are relativelyhigh, particularly when the full differential between the line pressureand atmospheric is applied to an operating member, such as the gate of avalve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general it is an object of the invention toprovide improved apparatus for the handling of spheres used inconnection with pipe lines, including sphere launching and retrievaloperations, and which is simple in construction and operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide such sphere handlingapparatus with improved means for preventing leakage during spherehandling operations, and for detecting such leakage if it should occur.

Another object of the invention is to provide sphere handling apparatusrequiring a minimum of power for its operation.

In general, the present invention consists of a hollow body disposed inan inclined position, with the upper and lower portions of the bodyhaving openings greater than the diameter of the sphere. The bodyincludes a cylindrical shaped sleeve disposed between the open ingswhich cooperates with a reciprocating internal closure to form a sealbetween the two body portions. Preferably the closure makes use ofsealing means of the double resilientsealing cup type, which interfitand establish sealing engagement with the inner periphery of the sleeve.A reciprocating rod extends into the body and has its inner end attachedto the closure. Power means is disposed exteriorly of the body forreciprocating the rod. Maintenance of a seal between the closure and thesleeve is determined by reference to the difference between the pressurein the space between the sealing cups and the line pressure.

Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from thefollowing description in which the preferred embodiments have been setforth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevation partly insection, illustrating the invention incorporated in a sphere launchingdevice.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of FIG. 1..

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail in section showing the sealing cups and theengagement with a cooperating DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSThe sphere launching apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 3 consists of a body 10which may be made by metal fabrication methods and which has an internaldiameter somewhat greater than the diameter of the spheres beinghandled. The apparatus is mounted adjacent a pipe line into which thesphere is to be launched. The upper end of the body 10 is provided witha removable closure 11, preferably one of the hinged door type providedwith a locking pin for locking it in closed position. The body is shownformed in three portions or sections 10a, 10b and 10c, which are securedtogether as by welding. Portion 10a may be the upper part of a tee asillustrated in FIG. 1, part 10c is a cylindrical pipe section, and part10b, which is intermediate the parts 10 and 100, is a short section orsleeve having an inner cylindrical surface 12. In machining the sleeve10b to provide the surface 12, it is desirable to provide an annularshoulder 13 for reasons to be presently explained.

The lower extension 14 of the part is connected to the tee 15 which hasaligned inlet and outlet ends 16 and 17. When the apparatus is installedadjacent a pipe line, it is customary to provide an upstream connectionto inlet 16 and a downstream connection to outlet 17.

Within the body there is a closure 21 which is carried by the inner endof the reciprocable rod 22. This rod extends to the exterior through theclosure plate 23 and is connected to a suitable exterior power operator24, such as one of the double acting hydraulic cylinderpiston type. Asuitable hydraulic system is provided for energizing the operator 24,and this may be controlled manually, or automated, or controlled from aremote station.

The closure 21 has sealing means of the double resilient seal cup type.Thus as illustrated in FIG. 1, taken together with the enlarged FIG. 4,cup-like sealing members 26 are provided which have peripheral andoppositely directed flange portions 27. These members are made ofsuitable resilient material, such as a synthetic rubber or elastomer.They are retained between annular clamping members 28 and 29, both ofwhich are secured to the rod 22. Member 29 preferably includes a rimportion 31 which is of larger diameter, the periphery of which can beprovided with a rim cushioning formed of suitable material such asresilient rubber or elastomer. This arrangement aids in guiding theclosure 21 whenit is moved into the sleeve 12. The flange portions 27provide sealing engagement with the inner peripheral surface 12 of thesleeve b. When the closure is-retracted from the sleeve, the flangeportions 27 assume a somewhat larger relaxed diameter, but when movedinto the sleeve 10b, some radial contraction occurs. The space 33between the flange portions 27, when the closure is within the sleeve10b, is in communication with port 34 for a purpose to be presentlydescribed. The inner end of the rod 22 may also be provided with amember 36 which is in the form of a disk having a diameter somewhatsmaller than the internal diameter of the body 10. This disk may serveas a stop for the retracted position of the closure, and it may alsoserve as a guide for movement into the retracted position. With respectto the projected position of the closure, shown in FIG. 1, the shoulder13 serves as a stop.

The apparatus may also include means for conveniently handlingrelatively large spheres and for introducing them into the body. Thus aplatform 41 is shown on the supporting frame or skids 42, and a hoiststandard or column 43 is shown with hoist means 44. The spheres 46 maybe engaged by the suction pickup head 47 which in turn connects with thehoist means 44. With the closure 11 swung open, a sphere can be liftedand introduced into the body, after which the head 47 is disengaged, thesphere permitted to move down by gravity to the position shown in FIG.1, and then the closure 11 reclosed and locked.

Exterior piping is shown connected to the body as follows. A bypass pipe48 has one connection with the body section 10c, and another connectionwith the body section 10a. A valve 48a in this bypass may be opened topermit pressure equalization. Another pipe 49 is shown connected withthe port 34 of the sleeve 10b, and connects with pressure indicatingmeans, such as the pressure gauge 50.

Also a pressure gauge 51 is shown connected to bypass line 48 toindicate the pressure within the body section 10a. The upper part of thebody portion 100 is also provided with a valve controlled atmosphericvent 52. In addition, a pipe 53 is shown connected with the bypass pipe48 and is valve controlled to enable draining the body section 100.

Operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 4 to carry out a spherelaunching cycle is as follows. Initially the positioning of the partsmaybe as shown in FIG. 1. The pressure within the body sections 10a and100 is equal by virtue of communication through the equalizing bypass48. A sphere may be within the body section 10c in readiness forlaunching. The closure 21 is within and sealed with respect to thesleeve 10b. To launch the sphere 46, the bypass 48 remains open andpower is supplied to the operator 24 to start movement of the closure 21from the position shown in FIG. 1 to a fully retracted position. Duringthe initial part of this movement the closure 21 is retracted from thesleeve 10b, and this may be accompanied by some surging of liquidthrough the bypass 48. As the closure is being retracted, the sphere 46follows it by gravity, and when the closure 21 has reached a positionwhich frees the sphere for launching, it moves downwardly by gravityinto the tee 15 and is propelled into the line by fluid flow. Theclosure 21 is then returned to the sealing position shown in FIG. 1.

' Assuming now that one wishes to introduce another sphere into the bodysection 100, the bypass valve 48a is closed, vent 52 to the atmosphereis opened and drain line 53 opened to permit liquid to flow into asuitable tank or reservoir. During this time the full line pressure isapplied to closure 21, and it is important to avoid any leakage. At thetime closure 21 is moved into the sleeve 10b, its flange portions 27 areflexed in a radial direction, thereby causing the pressure within thespace 33 to be substantially reduced. This reduced pressure can bevisually noticed by observing gauge 49, and by comparing the reducedpressure reading with the pressure of the line as indicated by gauge 51.If any leakage should occur past the closure 21, the pressure within thespace 33 immediately rises to line pressure, thus indicating a defectiveseal. After completely draining fluid from the body section 10c, thevent and drain 52 and 53 are closed, and the hinged closure 1 1 openedto accept the sphere. After the sphere has been hoisted and introducedinto the body section 10 c, the hinged closure 11 is locked shut, andthereafter the bypass valve 48a is opened to permit line fluid to enterthe body section 100. While fluid is being introduced, it is necessaryto permit the vent 52 to remain open until section 10c is completelyfilled. Thereafter, vent 52 is closed and some bypassing of liquidcontinued to effect complete equalization between the pressure withinbody portion 10c and the line pressure. The apparatus is now incondition for launching another sphere in the manner previouslydescribed.

The apparatus described above has a number of features not possessed byconventional sphere handling apparatus adapted to launch spheres. Boththe construction and mode of operation are relatively simple. A seal isestablished between the two sections of the body by the relativelysimple internal closure 21, which is moved between open and closedpositions by the external operator. While line pressure is applied tothis closure during the operating cycle, it is not applied while theclosure is being retracted or projected, and therefore the forces andpower requirements are relatively low. The apparatus is realtivelycompact because of the small space required for the closure 21 and thesleeve 10b with which it cooperates. The closure of the double resilientcup type provides an effective seal, and if any leakage should occur byvirtue of some defect, the operator is apprised of the same beforeattempting a launching operation. The apparatus is particularly adaptedfor the handling of relatively large spheres, as for example, spheresranging in diameter from 30 to 48 inches or greater.

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 is suitable for carrying outsphere retrieval operations.

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 7 serves to remove spheres from pipelines. It consists of a body 56 which ameter greater than that of thespheres being handled. v

The end of the body is provided with a hinged closure 57 which can beunlocked and swung to open position forthe removal of a sphere. Thesleeve 56b and the associated closure assembly 58 can bethe same asdescribed above in connection with FIGS. 1 4. It is likewise carried bythe operating rod 59 whichextends to the exterior through the plate 61and is operatively connected withthe power operator 62.

The body section 56c is provided with anupper side opening 63 and iscoupledto a tee 64'whichis inserted intothe main line 65. Bars 66 areinsertedin the tee 64 to deflect spheres downwardly into the opening 63.For the position of the parts shown inFIG. 5, movement of a sphere intobody portion 560 is blocked by a member 67 in the form of a bar whichextendsacross the opening 63 and is carried bythe operating rod 59. Thusone end of rod 67 is shownsecured to member 68, which in turn is securedto the rod59, and theother end is shown slidably extending through anopening in the plate 61 and accommodated within the exterior closed tube69. Member 68 is substantially the same as the member 36 of FIG. 1.

The body 56 is provided with the valve controlled atmospheric vent 71,and a bypass line 72 connects with the lower portionof the body portion56a andwith the body portion 560. A valve controlled drain pipe 73mayconnect with the bypass 72. Line 74 corresponds with line 49 of FIG. 1andserves to connect the space between the sealing cups with thepressure gauge 75. The additional gauge 76 measures the pressurein theupper part of the body.

Operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 7 is as follows. When asphere arrives at the tee 64 from the upstream line 65a, it engages thebars 66 which deflects the sphere downwardly through the opening 63 intothe upper body part 56c. With the closure 58 sealed within the sleeve56b, as illustrated in FIG. 5 the sphere comes to rest against the bar67. Before attempting to remove the sphere the operator makes certain,by reference to gauges 75 and 76, that closure 58 is not leaking, andpressures within body portions 56a and 56c are equalized by opening thebypass 72. To remove the sphere from the line, the operator 62 isenergized to move the closure 58 toward the right as viewed in FIG. 5 toits fully retracted position. During the initial part of this movement,the closure is withdrawn from the sleeve 56b, thus placing the two bodyportions 56a and 56c in direct communication. When movement toward theretracted position of the closure has proceeded sufficiently far wherebythe sphere is free to move downwardly, it initially moves into the bodyportion 560 and then rolls downwardly by gravity to a position againstthe hinged closure 57 as shown in FIG. 5. The operator 62 is nowenergized to return the closure 58 to the position shown in FIG. 5 insealing engagement with the sleeve 56b, and at that time the operatorobserves the readings of the gauges 74 and 75 to determine whether ornot the differential pressure is sumcient to indicate proper sealing.Normally, to indicate proper sealing this differential will be of theorder of something in excess of p.s.i. If gauges 74 and 75 indicate aproper seal, the operator then commences to drain the lower body portion56a by opening the vent 71 and the drain 73. As this draining of liquidis commenced, the full line pressure is appliedto the internal closure58, and the operator again makes certain that no leakage is occurringbyobserving the pressure diflerential indicated by the gauges 74' and 75.When all of the liquid has been drained from the lower body portion 56a,the closure 57 isopened and the sphere removed. Thereafter, closure 57is shut andlocked, and the pressure within the body portions 56a and56cis equalized by opening the bypass line 72. The apparatus is now incondition to receive another sphere. Inboth the embodiments oneportionof the body (he, 10c of FIG. 1 and 56c of FIG. 5) forms a spherereceiving space, and theother body portion (i.e., 10a of FIG. 1 and.56aof FIG; 5) forrna space into which the sphere is transferred aftermoving the internal closure toa position'which enables the sphere togravitate downwardly. After such transfer the sphere in FIG. lislaunched into the line while in FIG. 5 it is removed;

In the operation of both embodiments care should be taken to makecertain that no leakage is occurring past the inner closure atthetime'the externalhinged closure is opened. In FIG. 5 means isshown toinsure against opening of the hinged closure if leakage is occurring.Thus a differential pressure responsive device 78 has fluid connectionswith bypass line 72 (i.e., the interior of body portion 56c) and line 75(i.e., the space between the cup flanges when inner closure 58 is withinsleeve 56b). This device75may be a differentialpressure operated switchhaving two sets of electrical contacts operated by a movable fluidpressure operated member which separates two closed fluid chambers.These chambers are connected to the two fluid pressure sources. In FIG.5 two circuits 79 and80are con trolledby the electrical contacts, andeach circuitmay be provided with signal lamps 81 and 82. One lamp (e.g.,81) can be energizedwhen no differentialpressure exists or when thedifferential pressure is so low that a leak is indicated. Lamp 82 isenergized when the differential pressure is such that a good seal isindicated. Circuit 80 is also shown connectedto lock release meansincorporated in the locking mechanism of openings greater than thediameter of the sphere to be handled, one of said openings being anaccess opening .that is aligned with the axis of the body, an accessopening closure removably secured to the corresponding end portion ofthe body and serving to close one of said openings, the body between theopenings having an internal diameter greater than that of the sphere, acylindrical sleeve fixed in the body between said body portions, thesleeve being sealed with respect to the body,

an operating rod extending axially into one end of the body, a closureassembly carried by the inner end of the rod and adapted to have asealed fit with the inner surface of the sleeve, power means exterior ofthe body for reciprocating the rod and closure assembly between oneoperating position in which the closure assembly is within the sleeveand sealed with respect to the same and a second position in which theclosure assembly is spaced axially from the sleeve, and valve controlledbypass means providing controlled pressure equalizing communicationbetween the body spaces and also surging of fluid to accommodatemovements of the assembly within the sleeve.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which the closure assembly has resilientsealing means of the double sealing cup type.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which the upper portion of the body has anupwardly extending connection with the line whereby a sphere in the linemay move downwardly out of the line by gravity and into the upperportion of the body, said access opening closure being secured to thelower end portion of the body.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which the lower portion of the body has adownwardly extending connection with the line whereby a sphere fromwithin the body may move downwardly into the line, said access closurebeing secured to the upper portion of the body.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which the means for sealing the closureassembly within the sleeve is of the double resilient sealing cup typeand in which means is provided for detecting the difference between thepressure between the sealing cups and the line pressure.

6. Apparatus as in claim 1 together with releasable locking means forthe access opening closure, and means responsive to leakage past theclosure assembly for retaining said locking means in locked condition.

* III I! I

1. Sphere handling apparatus for use with a pipe line carrying fluidunder pressure and serving to remove or introduce a sphere or clean-outdevice, a generally cylindrical hollow body disposed in an inclinedposition, the upper and lower end portions of the body having openingsgreater than the diameter of the sphere to be handled, one of saidopenings being an access opening that is aligned with the axis of thebody, an access opening closure removably secured to the correspondingend portion of the body and serving to close one of said openings, thebody between the openings having an internal diameter greater than thatof the sphere, a cylindrical sleeve fixed in the body between said bodyportions, the sleeve being sealed with respect to the body, an operatingrod extending axially into one end of the body, a closure assemblycarried by the inner end of the rod and adapted to have a sealed fitwith the inner surface of the sleeve, power means exterior of the bodyfor reciprocating the rod and closure assembly between one operatingposition in which the closure assembly is within the sleeve and sealedwith respect to the same and a second position in which the closureassembly is spaced axially from the sleeve, and valve controlled bypassmeans providing controlled pressure equalizing communication between thebody spaces and also surging of fluid to accommodate movements of theassembly within the sleeve.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which theclosure assembly has resilient sealing means of the double sealing cuptype.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which the upper portion of the bodyhas an upwardly extending connection with the line whereby a sphere inthe line may move downwardly out of the line by gravity and into theupper portion of the body, said access opening closure being secured tothe lower end portion of the body.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 1 in whichthe lower portion of the body has a downwardly extending connection withthe line whereby a sphere from within the body may move downwardly intothe line, said access closure being secured to the upper portion of thebody.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which the means for sealing theclosure assembly within the sleeve is of the double resilient sealingcup type and in which means is provided for detecting the differencebetween the pressure between the sealing cups and the line pressure. 6.Apparatus as in claim 1 together with Releasable locking means for theaccess opening closure, and means responsive to leakage past the closureassembly for retaining said locking means in locked condition.